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    Vista's recognition of RAM

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by BretFelix, Feb 18, 2008.

  1. BretFelix

    BretFelix Newbie

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    I'm considering getting a new notebook (or tablet), and I need to know how much more beneficial it would be for me if I got a configuration with 4GB RAM instead of 3GB.

    I'm hearing some things that Vista 32-bit only recognize up to 3GB?
    Or when Vista SP1 comes out, that all RAM will be recognized?
    Or only Vista 64-bit will recognize all of the RAM installed?

    I'm planning to purchase the new notebook/tablet in the December of 08... so... yeah.. long way off. And I'm planning for either HP tx1000z or dv7000 (or maybe dv9000)

    So yeah... tips?

    O and also, does the version of Vista matter? (like... home basic, premium, ultimate, business)...
     
    BretFelix, Feb 18, 2008
    #1
  2. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Only 64bit Vista can use more than about 3.2GB of RAM. That will never change.
     
    Greg, Feb 18, 2008
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  3. NAS Ghost

    NAS Ghost Notebook Deity

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    NAS Ghost, Feb 18, 2008
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  4. powerpack

    powerpack Notebook Prophet

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    This looks like one of the early threads on what is going to be a long list of threads because of the dopes at MS. Vista w/service pack 1 will now be able to tell how much RAM you have installed. Before it was telling how much it can use/see. This was done because they thought it was easier than explaining what is going on. The SP1 will change nothing except a number it shows you. Will not increase the amount of RAM the system can recognize/address. In all 32bit OS's maximum number of unique memory addresses it can assign is 2^32 which equals 4GB's. The OS needs to use some of those for hardware among others GPU. Now if 4GB's is the max and I must give some away I no longer have 4GB left for RAM, correct. So now if I install 4GB's RAM Windows will only address what it can, and that is around 3GB's. All SP1 does is have the amount reported from the BIOS displayed in Device Manager instead of what Windows sees (for useful purposes). Thanks MS, about as useful as a racing sticker on a cars windshield to make it go faster. But remember MS cannot change this as 2^32 is 4GB's and must give some away. 64bit OS, 2^64 much much bigger number 4GB's no problem. Lithus has sticky on 64bit OS read that for more info.
     
    powerpack, Feb 18, 2008
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  5. BretFelix

    BretFelix Newbie

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    Thanks so much that explains a lot!

    And I hear there's a lot of compatilibity issues with Vista 64-bits... softwares not being able to run on it..?
     
    BretFelix, Feb 18, 2008
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  6. BretFelix

    BretFelix Newbie

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    That's a bit off topic... if any1 wants, send a link in the right direction?>
     
    BretFelix, Feb 18, 2008
    #6